In a city reduced to stones,
decayed ruins cast long shadows
across a parched desert floor
The citizens who haunt forgotten
shades remain hulking jackals
and the screeching owl-
who protects her young
while eager to tell me the story
of The Great City
…before its fall
© Vivian Zems
Artistic Photography Dreamlike Portrait Photography by Damien Casals
Smell The Coffee 
August 3, 2020 at 3:23 am
Jaw-droppingly good, V. Salute!
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August 3, 2020 at 1:24 pm
Thanks, Ron!
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August 3, 2020 at 4:38 am
This could almost be the story of Detroit, Michigan! Graphic and well-written.
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August 3, 2020 at 5:24 am
This is an utterly captivating poetic tale Vivian! I love it!
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August 3, 2020 at 12:01 pm
What an atmosphere you’ve created here!
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August 13, 2020 at 1:14 am
Thanks Shay!
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August 3, 2020 at 2:08 pm
A beautifully written and haunting piece!
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August 13, 2020 at 1:14 am
Thank you Junior!
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August 3, 2020 at 9:21 pm
Powerful, timely writing…
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August 3, 2020 at 11:21 pm
Thanks Susie!
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August 3, 2020 at 10:26 pm
Like an obverse–who are the people living in this poem versus the people who have been forgotten. This poem wakes up shivers down my back. 🙂
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August 13, 2020 at 1:13 am
I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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August 4, 2020 at 12:36 am
Wonderful, Vivian.
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August 4, 2020 at 4:13 am
I love to watch the parent birds protecting their young. Some varmints are too big or wiley and the young become food for buzzards.
..
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August 13, 2020 at 1:11 am
I know what you mean. Watching nature is fascinating nonetheless 🙂
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August 4, 2020 at 3:00 pm
Quite the vivid word-picture. I feel as if I have stood, not calm, a bit tense and frightened, in the shadows of those ruins.~hedgewitch
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August 5, 2020 at 11:16 am
Thank you :)…glad you liked it!
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August 5, 2020 at 2:28 am
“forgotten / shades remain hulking jackals” – yes!
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August 6, 2020 at 3:48 am
Thank you 🙂
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August 8, 2020 at 8:41 am
True mastery! So succinct and powerful.
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August 9, 2020 at 7:19 pm
Thank you! 😊
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August 9, 2020 at 9:47 pm
My pleasure.
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